Stirrup.



PATENTED JAN. 21, 190 8. 'J. M. EASTBRWOOD.

STIRRUP.

APPLICATION mum DBO.17.1906.

UNITED sTA Es PATENT OFFICE.

loHN M. EASTERWOOD, OF EUPORA, MISSISSIPPI.

STIRRUP.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN M. EAsTERwooD, citizen of the United States, residing at Euora, in the county of Webster and State of llississi pi, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Stirrups, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in stirrups and it has particular reference to a safety stirrup which may I l upper ends thereof are projected through the be readily released from its supporting strap.

The invention aims as a primary object to provide a stirrup made in pivoted sections and including means for maintaining said sections in their operative or assembled relation, and means for permitting the relative movement of said sections to disengage them from their supporting strap.

The detailed construction will appear in the course of the following description, in which reference is had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, like characters of reference designating similar parts throughout the several-views, wherein, 4

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a stirrup constructed in accordance with my invention and ready for use. Fig. 2 is a similar View illustrating the relative positions of the stirrup sections in the act of being disengaged from their supporting strap. Fig. 3 is a top plan view, and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal section showing the pivot joint between the sections.

Referring specifically to the accompanying drawings the letter A designates a strap having a looped end a by means of which the stirrup B is suspended. The stirrup'B comprises the pivotally connected sections 1 and 2. The section 1 at its upper end, has ,a reduced tongue 3 and the section 2 has spaced extensions 4 between which the tongue 3 interfits, thus affording a substantial mortise joint. Said section 2 at its lower end has an elongated extension 5, which at its extremity is pivoted as by a pin 6 to the lower end of the section 1. Adjacent the pivot joint 6 the section 1 has an integral extension 7 which in the assembled relation of the parts is par allel to the extension 5, said extension 7 hav- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 1'7, 1906- Serial No. 348.355.

Patented Jan. 21, 1908.

ing a natural resiliency in serving to limit the movement of the extension 5 on the pivot 6. To the underneath surface of the extension 5, there is secured by screws 8 a leaf spring 9, which at its free end bears against the section 1.

The manner of use will be readily apparent from the foregoing description. The leaf spring 9 serves to force the sections together as is shown in Fig. 1 in which relation the loop a. Assuming that the horse becomes fractious, or actsin such a manner as to cause danger to the rider, the foot is used to press the section 2 outwardly on its pivot 6 against the tension of the spring 9. In such action the upper ends of the sections 1 and 2 become disjointed and allow of displacement of the stirrup from its suspension strap. In this manner the rider may free his feet and have freedom of action. The action above described may be accomplished in an instant, the danger being thus reduced to a minimum degree.

A stirrup constructed as above set forth will be exceedingly simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and practical and efficient in use.

-VVhile the elements herein shown and described are well adapted to serve the functions set forth, it is obvious that various minor changes may be made in the proportions, shape and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having fully described my invention I claim:

A stirrup of'the type described comprising a section having a vertically disposed body portion terminating at its up or end in a bent portion having a horizonta ly extending tongue, and a section having a vertically disposed body portion and ahorizontal extension at the lower end thereof, and terminating at its upper end in a pair of spaced horizontally extending legs between which said tongue is adapted to fit, to form a readily releasable joint centrally of said sections and adapted to be carried within the looped end of a stirrup strap, said lower horizontal extension being pivoted at its end to said first named section, a fiat resilient extension carried by said first named section and bearing against the upper surface of said horizontal extension, and a leafspring carried on the lower surface of said horizontal extension and projecting beneath said first named section beyond the pivot of said extension thereto, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

- JOHN M. EASTERWOOD.

Witnesses: T. L. LAMB, F. F. TAYLOR. 

